Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c27.26

c27.26

All the main structure comprising the temple of Natesa lies to the south-centre of the entire walled-in space, leaving a relatively large area on its northern side. Here are two important annexes to the temple scheme, consisting of a large tank or Sivaganga, and a thousand pillared mandapam or Rajasabha. The former is a sheet of water 275 feet by 175 feet bounded by flights of steps and pillared arcades, with the fine north gopuram in its rear, which reflected in the water forms an effective scene. Alongside is the hypostyle hall, a rectangular building 338 feet long and 197 feet wide and containing a thousand monolithic columns each ornamented with carving, but owing to most of these being dull and rather mechanical repetitions the appearance as a whole is somewhat monotonous.